Which class of destroyers does NOT carry the Mk 15 Phalanx CWIS?

The Fletcher class destroyers do not carry the Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System). This system is a radar-guided gun system designed for defense against anti-ship missiles and provides a last line of defense against airborne threats.

Fletcher class destroyers, which were primarily built during World War II, are not equipped with modern weaponry such as the Phalanx CIWS, as they were designed before this technology was developed. In contrast, the other classes of destroyers listed, such as the Arleigh Burke class and the Zumwalt class, have been specifically designed with advanced defensive systems, including the Phalanx, integrated to enhance their capabilities in modern naval warfare. The Ticonderoga class is technically a cruiser, not a destroyer, yet it does carry the Phalanx CIWS as part of its comprehensive suite of weapons and defense systems.

Understanding the technological advancements and timeline of these classes helps clarify why the Fletcher class, being much older and not retrofitted in the same way, lacks this particular armament.